“I’m very sensitive and a hopeless romantic,” says Doron Avidan, 35, from Ramat Gan. “I’ll pick you up from home, I don’t mind distance, I’ll get out of the car and open the door for you, spoil you with gifts, kind words and romantic gestures. I’m also old school, less into texting and more into phone calls because deep conversations are the sexiest thing in the world.
“I used to believe a lot in looks, but today I believe you can fall in love through good communication. I like talking on the phone and some women are put off or surprised by that because they don’t even save the number. For me it’s a kind of filter because the conversation, especially the energy, says everything,” he says.
Avidan is a wedding DJ and chair of the nonprofit “Our Generation” (Hador Shelanu), which brings joy to children, supports soldiers and helps families in need. He describes himself as a social entrepreneur and people person. In his free time he works out, reads, focuses on personal development, spends time with family and watches sunsets at the sea. He wraps tefillin daily and on Fridays goes to synagogue with his father. He feels he has achieved everything he dreamed of except love, which he longs for.
“The dream is to stand under the chuppah this year, God willing, with the love of my life,” he says. “I have a dream that my mother, who is a midwife, will deliver my child, her first grandchild. I’m someone who is built for relationships and I don’t believe in games, so maybe I come across as wanting too much, and that’s fine.
“I’m very goal-oriented. I won’t date someone who is too young or not ready for marriage because I’ve already met women who said they are not looking for something serious, and I walked away. I’ve learned to ease the pressure and be more relaxed, and I believe things will work out. If I went out with someone and it didn’t work, at least I gained a friend.
“I believe you need to be present in the situation, be patient and get to know your partner before deciding to move forward, because sometimes the dates you expect nothing from go the best places. I see people celebrating love all the time at work, so I know it’s possible.”
Is it mentally difficult working at weddings while being single and wanting to marry?
“I have a mission, which is to make people happy on their wedding day, so it’s not difficult, but it definitely increases the longing. I look at venues and think, ‘I could get married here,’ or I suddenly find myself debating between a Thursday night wedding and a Friday afternoon one. I have close friends who are married with children and I see the happiness in their eyes. There is nothing I want more than children, but first I want to meet my soulmate, get married and enjoy life with her.
“I chose to be a DJ only at weddings and not in clubs because I want a structured life that fits family living, and my profession may change in the future. Still, some women don’t want to date me because I’m a DJ and work at night. What, don’t pilots and doctors work nights too?”
Does that anger or hurt you?
“No, because I don’t have an ego and I don’t take it personally. I’ve learned to see my work as something great, and if it doesn’t suit someone, that’s completely fine. I run my own business and decide my events, dates and hours. A DJ can take his kids to kindergarten in the morning, pick them up later, have lunch with them, keep the house in order and be with his partner every day until the evening.
“I’m a morning person and even after events I wake up at nine every day because I want to use every moment of life. I’m also looking for someone like me, with joy and passion for life, someone light, cool and with good energy.
“A smile is the most beautiful thing in the world and the first thing I look at. I want her to do what makes her happy, and I’d love her to have ambitions. I will support her. I don’t really have a checklist, but it’s important to me that she is traditional, preferably likes sports and does not smoke.”
Do you meet women at weddings?
“Let’s break a myth: a DJ does not meet single women at weddings. He is there to work, is on the booth and does not drink alcohol. It’s not a party where he goes around talking to girls. I met my ex on dating apps, but I prefer a personal approach: to come up, compliment and simply say, ‘I saw you from the side and you interest me, I’d love to grab coffee.’ If she’s interested, we set something up.”
“I’m not here to play games. I came to really get to know someone, and if she plays games, I won’t chase her like I used to, because I know what she’s missing. A man should pursue, but there must also be mutual desire. In this interview, it’s better if she initiates contact, I’ll take it from there.”
What is your flaw?
“I open my heart quickly.”
What is love to you?
“A deep emotional connection with friendship and good communication.”
Do you believe in love at first sight?
“Yes. When there is a real spark in a glance you feel it in your stomach and the sky is the limit. But I also believe in love that grows slowly.”
When did your heart break last?
“Eight years ago, after a long relationship, we each went our separate ways.”
What did you learn about yourself in relationships?
“That I love giving and investing fully from the heart.”
Most important ingredient in a relationship?
“Listening and mutual respect.”
What offends you?
“Disrespect.”
In your fantasy, what does your ideal partner look like?
“She is smiling, full of joy for life, ambitious, sensitive and romantic. We wake up, brush our teeth in front of the mirror, drink coffee together and go to work. In the evening, we cook at home or eat out and walk along the promenade with a glass of wine.”
Deal breakers?
“Dishonesty and lack of communication.”
Would you date a smoker?
“Preferably not.”
Age range?
“26 to 35.”
Divorced or with children?
“Less suitable right now, I want to have children together.”
Worst date?
“I picked her up and from the moment she got in the car she didn’t put the phone down. I felt like I was on a date with a screen.”
Perfect date?
“I pick her up, a first hug with a bit of awkwardness at the start. Good music in the car, laughs, flowing conversation where we lose track of time. A nice restaurant, drinks or shots, dessert at the end, and the feeling we don’t want the night to end.”
Should a man pay on a first date?
“Yes, absolutely.”
Favorite place?
“The sea. There is no substitute for a sunset by the ocean. It’s nature’s greatest gift.”
What makes you laugh?
“Life itself.”
When did you cry last?
“At my sister’s wedding. I was very moved.”
How close are you to your family?
“Very close, almost like friends. I make sure to meet them often.”
What were you in a past life?
“A record. It takes two minutes to understand me, but once you connect you don’t want to skip the track.”
Last series you binged?
“Formula 1.”
Music you listen to?
“Aviad Banai, Israeli music and classical music.”
Something no one knows about you?
“I like silence in the middle of chaos.”
How would friends describe you?
“A man with joy for life, a big heart and humor.”
Friday night?
“Family Shabbat dinner.”
Where can someone approach you?
“In person, also on Instagram or by phone.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
“With a family: a wife, three children, a house with a pool in a moshav, and a dog running wildly on the grass.”